MARK THE TIME: GRIZZLIES CLOCK OCEANSIDE

SAN MARCOS 
You pull into the parking lot at 4:47 p.m., nearly three hours before the No. 1 Oceanside vs. No. 2 Mission Hills kickoff, and you can feel the tension. Not on the football field. In the parking lot.

Spaces are filling up. A Range Rover cuts off a Buick for a prime spot.

“Parking Wars” come to life.

But Mission Hills quarterback Connor Wynn is chill. At 5 p.m., Wynn walks out of the Grizzlies’ gym, ear buds in place, bobbing his head to music.

Stealing from the legendary late Los Angeles Times columnist John Hall, what follows is a by-the-clock account of a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown, which unlike Notre Dame-Michigan State 1966, did not disappoint.

7:04 — The Grizzlies are on their backs, stretching. Assistant coach Thomas Altieri, a former Vista High star, walks up and down the rows, yelling encouragement.

“You’re gonna remember this … The foundation of your legacy … No freebies … We don’t do charity … Who wants to have the game of their life?”

7:21 — Founded in 1906, Oceanside High boasts a bit more history than Mission Hills, which opened 10 years ago. Roaming the Pirates’ sideline: Willie Buchanon. Chargers fans know Willie B., then a Packer, intercepted four passes in a game against the Bolts.

7:25 — An absolutely stirring rendition of the national anthem by the 116-member Mission Hills Cardinal Alliance band. “Yeah, play that clarinet,” hollers a student. Marching Band groupies! Who knew?